Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-04-22
AN APRIL FOOL
/. BY NARY r. p. HATCH.

able festivities, not only Thanksgiving.
Christmas, New Years, but Washing.
toms Birthday, All.Fool's Day, Hal.
lowe'en, and 50 on straight through
the year. ;s
They were fools once a year, if not
oftener, as Will said; and, to tell the
truth, the first of April was the "mad.
dest, merriest day" of the whole year
through for them r-s. r. -. ~
Viewed from this standpoint, there
fore, it did not seem quite so imper-
tinently cruel to play a trick upon
Eva Atwood.
True, she was a stranger among
them almost, having lived in the Ches-
ter family but few months, and
knew nothing or little of their Gus
toms; and the only, motherless
daughter OF a wealthy, indu]gent gen
tleman, residing in great city, would
not be apt to know much OF these
hilarious country pastimes. But, as
her cousin Belle said, contemptuously,
she might know, and there was no
earthly reason why she should be ex-
empted from joke unless because
she was rich. And Belle curled her
lips in scorn.
Belle was discussing her plan with
her sister Annie and Cora Webster,
her friend.
'"The best of it is, Allison Fosters
initials are A. F., which stands for
April Fool, and then two other young
men OF our set have the same ones,
Albert Follonsby and Argur French"
said Belle, with animation.
"But Eva does not know either OF
these" said Annie.
$50 much the better, goosie; but if
she learns OF the joke she will have no
one to blame only her own stupid
ity.
Can you write like Allison Foster?"
asked Cora.
"Near enough to deceive her. I
have lots of notes of his that can
study"
mo doubt OF that" laughed Cora.
"Well don't chatter, and will see
what can do"
Belle sat down to her writing desk
and soon produced the following note,
which she read to them:
my DEAR LITTLE EVA: You will, no
| ho r.,
we have known each other so short a time;
but since the first evening we met I have
! loved y7u.
And you, my darling, do you return
this love. the first and only love of my de.
voted heart? Never answer this ii you do
not respond to my love, for could not
bear it; sbnt make me happy by wearing
geranium leaf in your hair the next time
come to the house. BY this token l shall
know that you love me even as love you.
Yours, devotedly, A. F.
April /, 1885,"
ooh, my! won't it be funny to see
her going about with geranium leaf
stuck in her hair, and he not to know
anything about it at all, and just US
three in the secret?" said Cora thought
lessly.
II think it would be cruel" said
Annie Indignantly. 81 never realized
before how mean it would be; and she
Il stranger among us, and the dearest
little soul that ever breathed."
$50 you will tattle," said Belle
angrily.
'No, won't tattle, but I wash my
hands OF the whole affair" And
Annie walked off, but returned to say
significantly:
"Have you thought, Belle, if Eva
doesn't wear the geranium leaf, that
it is a virtual refusal; and if you con-
sent to wear it you know what I
mean), you accept what she refuses?"
But to this Belle deigned no reply,
only to Cora she said, after her sister
left the room:
"Pshaw! know she loves him."
'What shall you do with the let
ter"
"send it by post. Won't You drop
it in the office as you 60 by?"
ayes, but remember you must let
me know " hen the play opens"
"T1l send for you" And the girls
separated; Cora to return home by
way of the postofice,. where she
dropped the letter, Belle to join the
| family downstairs
A lovely, sweet-faced young girl sat
on the sofa cutting paper dolls for lit
tie Isabel. Annie was reading, as was
her wont. Mrs. Chester was sewing.
Just then in sauntered Will, who was
home from college for a few days.
"Well, cousin mine," said he, sitting
down beside Eva, "are you ready
primed for the first of April?"
why, what comes then?" asked
she.
"Surprises," said he solemnly; *'for
instance, if you wished to present me
with 3our check for fifty thousand
dollars, tomorrow would be just the
day to do it. l should be surprised
at that"
$50 should l." said she demurely.
with dimples lurking in her cheeks.
'The children are up to all kinds OF
games the first OF April, dear, said
Mrs. Chester, smiling. 'Don't let
them torment you,'
By Willis explanation she imagined
it to be day of surprises after the
style Of Christmas, only with more
secrecy, and she thought it @ good
time to make each of her cousins and
her aunt suita BILE present.
Her father was very wealthy, and,
at her request, only week before had
sent her some gifts which she waited
but q suitable opportunity to be-
stow E..
Mr.. Atwood had sent his daughter
to reside in Wilmot with her aunt
because she was delicate, and he
hoped the country air would be OF
benefit, to her. Only on this consid-
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